Inhaler and method of constructing it



March 10, 1953 J. W. ARPIN INHALER AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING -IT Filed Sept. 20, 1950 INVENTOR. JOHN WILLIAM ARPIN ATTORNEY Patented Mar. [0, 1953 UNITED STATES INHALER AND METHOD or CONSTRUCTING rr John William Arpin, Verona, N. 3., assignor to Tops Plastics, Inc., Orange, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 20, 1950, Serial No. 185,890

9 Claims.

This invention relates to inhalers and more particularly to a container which houses an inhalant substance.

The invention is particularly directed to most inhalers which contain an aromatic, fragrant element for freshening the breath. However, it may also be used for nasal inhalers as will be hereinafter made clear.

Inhalers having a breath sweetening element enclosed therein have been known for some time. An example thereof is one commercially designated as Breath-O-Lator which comprises a metal casing enclosing the aromatic element. Such element may take the form of a fibre member impregnated with the aromatic substance. Such substance may have a peppermint base or it could otherwise be agreeably perfumed.

It is an object of this invention to produce an inhaler of extremely simple construction so that it may be thrown away after the aromatic element has exhausted its usefulness. This is in contrast to many types of inhalers wherein they generally entail refilling. The inhalerof the instant invention is so cheap as regards cost of materials and production that it serves no purpose to save it after the element has dissipated its fragrance. In fact, it is hardly capable of refilling as will hereinafter be made clear. Notwithstanding the simplicity of the instant device, it nevertheless is completely effective for its intended purpose and in many respects is more desirable than more expensive devices.

The invention will be further understood from the following description and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a separated view of the container and aromatic element normally contained therein.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the composite article.

Fig. 3 is a side view thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along the lines 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fi 5 is a cross-sectional view as taken alon the lines 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view as taken along the lines 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of a modified embodiment.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along the lines 88 of Fig. 'I.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view as taken along the lines 9-9 of Fig. 8.

The main embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6. It comprises a tube 10 and an aromatic element H which is enclosed therein. It will be recognized that the aromatic element ll may take any suitable and conventional form. The tube It is preferably but not necessarily formed of a resilient plastic material although it may be formed of a metal. However, it exhibits particularly marked advantages when formed from a resilient plastic such as polyethylene or polythene. This material is resilient when formed in thin sheets or walls and has a soft feel which is agreeable to the mouth or lips of the user. The article is assembled by disposing the aromatic element ll within the tube l0 and sealin the ends of the tube to permanently enclose the element ll therein. Pursuant to the instant invention, the seal is such as to automatically leave air openings through which the aroma or fragrance of element ll may be inhaled.

Referring to Fig. 2, after the element H has been enclosed within the tube [0, the ends of the tube are centrally pinched at points l2 and I3 and sealed thereat. These seals are in the nature of a spot-weld as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Such sealing dimples the ends of the tube I0 and automatically produces end openings I4. Thus, it will be seen in Fig. 5 that the weld or seal i3 produces the two openings 14 on either side thereof which permits the fragrance of the aromatic element to be inhaled but which seals it in the tube and protects it against loss. Polyethylene is an excellent substance for this purpose because it is rather inert and satisfactorily encloses the vapors against dissemination other than through the openings I4.

As illustrated in Figure 6, the resilient tube I0 is substantially cylindrical or round in crosssection although the pinch seals 12 and I3 keep the ends in a sealed state against a tendency of such ends to return to a normally cylindrical shape. The resiliency of the tube thus produces the corner openings I4 on both sides of the seal.

It will be recognized from the foregoing that the inhaler above described is of remarkably cheap yet efiicient construction. It is only necessary to insert the aromatic or vaporizable element into the tube l0 and pinch-seal the ends automatically providing openings [4 for vaporous inhalation. The resiliency of the plastic and the normally open ends of the tube contribute to the formation of such openings when the ends are pinched. However, even if the tube I0 is of rigid material such as aluminum, the openings will also be formed as above described. The article, when made of polyethylene, is easy and pleasant to use since it is very light and does not have the cold feel of metal. It is desirable to have the openings M at both ends of the tube or container 50 as to have a uniform and reliable air flow.

The seal may be effected by a heat, spot welding process since the tube material is thermoplastic. Of course, a solvent could be used in connection therewith.

Inasmuch as the air-openings M- are exposed, the article may be enclosed, if desired, in a sealed cellophane bag or the like until ready for use. to employ a cap over the ends of the tube. if desired.

In the embodiment of Figs. '7 to 9, the body or container [5 comprises asheet oi polyethylene which is folded and sealed along the longitudinal edge I6 to produce a substantially tubular body. It is also sealed at the endedges. I1" and. 1.8-. Thereafter, the corners [9 are cut away to produce the vapor or air openings. The corners may be weakened or scored along the lines 20 so'that'the user -may remove the corners. However, it is more advantageous to remove the corners when the article is produced and toenclose it inan air impermeable bag and until ready for use by theconsumeri- The article may also be used as a nasal inhaler as will be evident.

What is claimed-is: I

1. An inhalercomprising an elongated tubular body containing; a va-perizableeienient, said tubular body beingcentrally pinched and sealedat both ends thereof'andhaving corner openings formed at either side of the pinch.

Z. An inhaler comprising: atubular body of resilient plastic material, said tubular body being said seal maintainingsaid body end centrally pinched against-a tendency to return to-its normally open-ended state.

5. An inhaler comprising an elongated tubular body of resilient plastic material and containing a vaporizable. element therein, said body being pinch sealed at the center of 'each-endthereof On the other hand, it is quite simple 4 and having corner openings formed on both sides of the seal at each end.

6. A method of housing an inhalant member in a resilient thermoplastic, open-ended tubular body which comprises inserting the member therein and heat sealing a portion of the open ends of: the tubular body so as to contain the member therein while leaving endopenings for the passage of air.

7. A method of housing an inhalant member in a. thermoplastic, normally open-ended tubular bodywhich comprises inserting the member therein and thereafter heat sealing a central spot of both: normally open ends of the body whereby corner edge openings at both sides of the seals are formed.

8. Aninhaler comprising a normally substantially. cylindrical tubular body of resilient plastic materialcontaining a vaporizable element, said tubular body being centrally sealed at at least one end thereof against a: normal tendency to return to substantially cylindrical? attsaid point of seal, and said one end having at least one opening formed adjacent to. the seal;

9. An inhaler comprising a normally substantially cylindrical tubular body of resilient, plastic material containing a. vaporizable element, said tubular body being centrally sealed atbothends thereof and having a corner opening formed at either side of the pinch ateach end, the'seals maintaining the two corneropenings at each end against the normal tendency of the resilient tube toreturn to substantially cylindrical shape at the ends.

JOHN WILLIAM'ARPIN REFERENCES CITED The following references areof record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 476,132 Cushman: May-31, 1892' 558,126 Varr Horne Apr; 14, 1896 645,566v Murphey" Mar; 20;. 1900- 700,805 Paine; May 27,1902

1,463,663 Bosworth July- 31, 1023 2,072,407 Pl'ew Mar; 2, 1937 2,2e5,738- Taylor June. 17, 1941 2,308,713 Price' Jan. 19, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 511,601 Great Britain: Dec. 2l, 1937 

